Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ "From Doctrine to Duty"
When in Romans... do as Paul asks us to do! The book of Romans is a powerful argument for justification by faith alone. This book is dangerous for those who view their faith as a set of rules that must be followed. Justification has to be found somewhere else and it can’t be through religious acts or behavior. Some have said that Romans is “hazardous to religiosity.” Paul makes it clear that no one on their own can be righteous. Only faith in Christ holds the power to make us acceptable to God. The good news? Faith is enough!
Locations & Times
Active Christians Today UToledo
Thursday 8:00 PM
In the first eleven chapters Paul has described God's gift of righteousness. In Christ we who were condemned are justified. We who were sinners are sanctified. And we who had no hope will be glorified. But what is our proper response to God's mercy, love and grace? Paul now moves us from doctrine to our duty as Believers.
Opening Questions
There are pressures all around us that encourage us to conform to the world's lifestyle and way of thinking. Share how you handle these pressures in your life.
What do you think is the hardest thing about being a follower of Christ?
Jesus once told a Pharisee that a person who is forgiven little loves little. But a person who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47).
There are pressures all around us that encourage us to conform to the world's lifestyle and way of thinking. Share how you handle these pressures in your life.
What do you think is the hardest thing about being a follower of Christ?
Jesus once told a Pharisee that a person who is forgiven little loves little. But a person who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47).
What do you think Jesus is saying??
Jesus made his point. Her many sins were forgiven. Jesus let this woman touch, kiss, and wash him. Why? Because she loved much. Because she was a human in need of divine grace. Because she needed what Jesus had to give—forgiveness and salvation. Ignoring any reply or reaction from anyone else, Jesus spoke to the woman. Your sins are forgiven!
Think about the sacrifice this woman made for Jesus. She exemplifies what it means to give ALL and to be a living sacrifice. This is what Paul is talking about when he asks us to be different than the world. In one chapter, Paul expresses what it truly means to be a follower of Christ.
Jesus made his point. Her many sins were forgiven. Jesus let this woman touch, kiss, and wash him. Why? Because she loved much. Because she was a human in need of divine grace. Because she needed what Jesus had to give—forgiveness and salvation. Ignoring any reply or reaction from anyone else, Jesus spoke to the woman. Your sins are forgiven!
Think about the sacrifice this woman made for Jesus. She exemplifies what it means to give ALL and to be a living sacrifice. This is what Paul is talking about when he asks us to be different than the world. In one chapter, Paul expresses what it truly means to be a follower of Christ.
Unpack the Text
Where we came from and where we are going:
Romans chapters 1 -- 8 is doctrinal and emphasizes faith.
Romans chapters 9 -- 11 is a look to the future and emphasizes hope.
Romans chapters 12 -- 16 is duty and emphasizes love.
The overarching theme for 12:1-13:14 is given in these first two verses of chapter 12. These verses are the umbrella under which all that follows is included.
Where we came from and where we are going:
Romans chapters 1 -- 8 is doctrinal and emphasizes faith.
Romans chapters 9 -- 11 is a look to the future and emphasizes hope.
Romans chapters 12 -- 16 is duty and emphasizes love.
The overarching theme for 12:1-13:14 is given in these first two verses of chapter 12. These verses are the umbrella under which all that follows is included.
What does Paul mean by a "living sacrifice”?
How should people properly worship God? (12:1)
Why do you think Paul uses the imagery of living sacrifices to describe our proper response to God's mercy?
Why do you think this kind of worship is pleasing to God?
What are some ways God's mercy mentioned here has already been demonstrated in Romans 1-11?
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, what was sacrificed? What happens to the sacrifice? Who becomes the sole owner of the sacrifice?
If in the Old Testament the “victim” of the sacrifice becomes wholly the property of God and Paul is using this as the basis of his example, what does that mean for us if Paul is calling us to be a “living sacrifice”? Does that scare you? Excite you? Question yourself? Question your commitment?
How should people properly worship God? (12:1)
Why do you think Paul uses the imagery of living sacrifices to describe our proper response to God's mercy?
Why do you think this kind of worship is pleasing to God?
What are some ways God's mercy mentioned here has already been demonstrated in Romans 1-11?
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, what was sacrificed? What happens to the sacrifice? Who becomes the sole owner of the sacrifice?
If in the Old Testament the “victim” of the sacrifice becomes wholly the property of God and Paul is using this as the basis of his example, what does that mean for us if Paul is calling us to be a “living sacrifice”? Does that scare you? Excite you? Question yourself? Question your commitment?
J. B. Phillips paraphrases Romans 12:2 as, "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold."
In what ways are we influenced and pressured to conform to the world?
What does Paul mean, "do not be conformed to this age" (v. 2)? What are some examples of this? How does the renewing of your mind happen?
In what ways do you struggle most with conformity to the world (12:2)? What is Paul’s antidote to being conformed to the world (12:2)? What might this look like in your present daily living?
What are some ways we can renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and so be transformed?
Sometimes we view God's will as something to be avoided rather than desired. How can the last part of Romans 12:2 correct this distortion?
How long does the process described by Paul in this verse take place? Is there any moment in your life that you will be able to declare that you are fully transformed?
In what ways are we influenced and pressured to conform to the world?
What does Paul mean, "do not be conformed to this age" (v. 2)? What are some examples of this? How does the renewing of your mind happen?
In what ways do you struggle most with conformity to the world (12:2)? What is Paul’s antidote to being conformed to the world (12:2)? What might this look like in your present daily living?
What are some ways we can renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and so be transformed?
Sometimes we view God's will as something to be avoided rather than desired. How can the last part of Romans 12:2 correct this distortion?
How long does the process described by Paul in this verse take place? Is there any moment in your life that you will be able to declare that you are fully transformed?
What do you believe Paul means by “the measure of faith?”
“The measure of faith” does not mean “amount of faith” but rather “standard of faith.” Paul is talking about the fact that all Christians know they needed saving by Christ, and have been saved by Christ. None of us deserve to be loved by God, yet all of us are completely loved by him.
How does understanding the “measure of faith” help us understand what it means to think of ourselves “with sober judgment” (v 3)?
How should Christians think about themselves? (12:3) Why?
Believers are not to measure themselves against others, but rather to evaluate themselves by how well they are living in accord with how God desires people to live.
“The measure of faith” does not mean “amount of faith” but rather “standard of faith.” Paul is talking about the fact that all Christians know they needed saving by Christ, and have been saved by Christ. None of us deserve to be loved by God, yet all of us are completely loved by him.
How does understanding the “measure of faith” help us understand what it means to think of ourselves “with sober judgment” (v 3)?
How should Christians think about themselves? (12:3) Why?
Believers are not to measure themselves against others, but rather to evaluate themselves by how well they are living in accord with how God desires people to live.
Verse 5 has important ramifications for churches and ministry groups. What are they?
By implication, it also means something for participation (or lack thereof) in these groups. What is it?
This is the critical insight that focuses on harmony within the community of Believers. Believers must recognize that they are interdependent, needing to give to and receive from one another.
Can this happen without a connection to a community of Believers? What does this say about God’s plan for each of us?
By implication, it also means something for participation (or lack thereof) in these groups. What is it?
This is the critical insight that focuses on harmony within the community of Believers. Believers must recognize that they are interdependent, needing to give to and receive from one another.
Can this happen without a connection to a community of Believers? What does this say about God’s plan for each of us?
What did Paul use the human body to illustrate? (12:4-5) Why do you think he chose this illustration?
As you think "with sober judgement" about yourself, what gift (or gifts) do you think God has given you (Romans 12:3-8)?
How can you use it [them] to benefit the body of Christ?
What makes Christians different from one another? (12:4-6)
In what way are all Christians alike? (12:4-6)
Are you more likely to over estimate or to under estimate your spiritual gifts? Of the six gifts listed here, where are you the strongest? Where are you the weakest?
Are you ever envious of someone because of the gifts God has given them? Why?
Are there certain gifts that can result in pride? What are these? How should you deal with this in your own life?
What should we do with what God has given us (v 6b-8)?
As you think "with sober judgement" about yourself, what gift (or gifts) do you think God has given you (Romans 12:3-8)?
How can you use it [them] to benefit the body of Christ?
What makes Christians different from one another? (12:4-6)
In what way are all Christians alike? (12:4-6)
Are you more likely to over estimate or to under estimate your spiritual gifts? Of the six gifts listed here, where are you the strongest? Where are you the weakest?
Are you ever envious of someone because of the gifts God has given them? Why?
Are there certain gifts that can result in pride? What are these? How should you deal with this in your own life?
What should we do with what God has given us (v 6b-8)?
Get It
What makes offering our bodies as living sacrifices an act of worship?
To what worldly life-styles or values do we typically conform?
What are the patterns of the world that tempt us to conform?
How can a Christian renew his or her mind?
How does understanding God’s love raise our self-esteem?
How does understanding God’s love reduce our selfishness and conceit?
How do people united in Christ act toward each other?
How can the gifts God bestows on Christians help others in the church or community?
What gifts from God do you see in others?
What gifts from God do you see in your life?
What makes offering our bodies as living sacrifices an act of worship?
To what worldly life-styles or values do we typically conform?
What are the patterns of the world that tempt us to conform?
How can a Christian renew his or her mind?
How does understanding God’s love raise our self-esteem?
How does understanding God’s love reduce our selfishness and conceit?
How do people united in Christ act toward each other?
How can the gifts God bestows on Christians help others in the church or community?
What gifts from God do you see in others?
What gifts from God do you see in your life?
Apply it to Your Life
What is one step you can take this week toward eliminating habits that merely conform to the world’s pattern?
How can you put a spiritual gift to work for others this week?
What is one step you can take this week toward eliminating habits that merely conform to the world’s pattern?
How can you put a spiritual gift to work for others this week?
Praise & Prayer